Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)
Salary

Average pay for a Lead Software Development Engineer in the United States is considerable, rounding six figures at $104K per year. In the world of Lead Software Development Engineers, overall cash allowance can occasionally include more than $19K from bonuses and, in some exceptional cases, $25K from profit sharing, causing incomes to vary widely between $73K and $145K. Compensation for this group is mainly affected by the particular firm, but the particular city and years of experience are influential factors as well. Most Lead Software Development Engineers like their work and job satisfaction is high. Almost all enjoy medical while a large number get dental coverage. Vision coverage is also available to a fair number. This overview is based on answers to PayScale's salary questionnaire.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

Job Description for Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)

A lead software development engineer (SDE) plays a very important role for a large number of businesses and corporations due to the reliance on computers and technology of this modern age. The qualifications required involve a number of high-level technical skills as well as important character traits associated with being an effective leader. An advanced knowledge of computer programming and familiarity with a multitude of the most widely used computer languages is required. The types of companies that hire for a lead SDE vary in services, product, design and use of the software, so adaptability and flexibility as to the functionality required in the software is a highly useful skill to have.

The range of expectations a lead software development engineer is very broad, not only between the different companies a lead SDE might work for over his or her career, but also within just one particular organization. A lead SDE can find himself or herself testing website functionality, debugging programs, network accessibility or security threats, designing new software, modifying existing software, and testing the practicality of and efficiency of new software or hardware designs.

As mentioned, a high level of knowledge and experience in programming a multitude of different languages is also necessary to become a lead SDE. This includes, but is not limited to, advanced knowledge of HTML, C++, Java, Shockwave, and other common programming languages and software used in programming. Companies that require advanced computer graphics or animation will require knowledge of PhotoShop, CorelDRAW, Python 3D and other common programs used to create sophisticated graphics for games and applications. Familiarity with various operating systems is often required, as well. A lead SDE should be experienced and comfortable working with the latest Microsoft Windows, Mac and Linux-based operating systems.

A lead SDE could find himself or herself employed at any number of different companies. While there are certainly a high number of jobs for lead SDEs in companies that produce games and software for computers, gaming devices and mobile devices, other industries regularly employ SDE teams, as well. Any company that is using technology to improve its operations is likely to have SDEs employed. Medical research facilities, financial institutions, and manufacturers and distributors wishing to improve their products and services all have a need for modified or new software to help make their businesses successful. It's a wide open field with a range of possibilities for anyone who has the skills to fit the role.

A degree in some computer software-related field is definitely helpful, but not always required. Paid job experience in computer programming and engineering is given high regard, and typically a person needs to have 10 years or more employment experience in computer programming in order to be considered a viable candidate for the job of a lead SDE.

Beyond education and employment experience, a lead SDE should have leadership and communication skills that are effective. The ability to relate information and delegate responsibility and follow up on many different people working on a particular task or goal is a must. The ability to multitask is imperative. Also, a certain amount of flexibility is required as far as working hours go. Normal business hours will be in effect most of the time, but a lead SDE is required to be available at all hours should an emergency or breakthrough require his or her presence either remotely or on site. It's a job that requires a high level of discipline and, oftentimes, a high level of stress tolerance.

Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE) Tasks

Write, modify, and debug software for web sites.

Test and document software for client applications.

Use source debuggers and visual development environments.

Test and document software for web sites.

Work with with designers and content producers.

Common Career Paths for Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)

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Lead Software Development Engineers who go on to become Software Engineering Directors may see their salaries climb quite a bit. Median pay for Software Engineering Directors is $135K annually. It is quite typical for Lead Software Development Engineers to transition into roles as Software Development Managers or Senior Software Architects, where reported median earnings are $8K and $17K higher per year.

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Popular Employer Salaries for Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)

Those at Amazon.com Inc can expect to make the most, with the company offering a median salary of $154K.

Popular Skills for Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)

This chart shows the most popular skills for this job and what effect each skill has on pay.

Survey results imply that Lead Software Development Engineers deploy a deep pool of skills on the job. Most notably, skills in JavaScript, C++, Linux, and Java/J2EE are correlated to pay that is above average, with boosts between 4 percent and 7 percent. At the other end of the pay range are skills like Internet Information Server, PL/SQL, and ASP.NET. It is often found that people who know .NET are also skilled in ASP.NET and Java.

Pay by Experience Level for Lead Software Development Engineer (SDE)

Median of all compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime) by years of experience.

For many Lead Software Development Engineers, extensive experience does not lead to significantly more money. The average beginner in this position makes around $84K, but folks who have been around for five to 10 years see a markedly higher median salary of $98K. After 10 to 20 years, professionals can make it pretty big; the median salary sits in the six-figure neighborhood of $113K. Folks who have racked up more than 20 years in the field report incomes that aren't that much higher than less experienced individuals' earnings; the veterans make just $117K on average.

Pay Difference by Location

With a pay rate for Lead Software Development Engineers that is 30 percent greater than the national average, Redmond offers a comfortable salary for those in this profession. Lead Software Development Engineers will also find cushy salaries in San Jose (+29 percent), San Francisco (+27 percent), New York (+16 percent), and Boston (+16 percent). In Minneapolis, salaries are 11 percent below the national average and represent the lowest-paying market. Employers pay around 6 percent less in Atlanta and 5 percent less in Chicago, below-median salaries for those in this field.